prior

adjective

ˈprī(-ə)r How to pronounce prior (audio)
Definition of priornext
1
as in main
coming before all others in importance this assignment will be prior to any other work you may have

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in previous
going before another in time or order we've made prior arrangements

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word prior distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of prior are antecedent, anterior, foregoing, former, preceding, and previous. While all these words mean "being before," previous and prior imply existing or occurring earlier, but prior often adds an implication of greater importance.

a child from a previous marriage
a prior obligation

In what contexts can antecedent take the place of prior?

While in some cases nearly identical to prior, antecedent applies to order in time and may suggest a causal relation.

conditions antecedent to the revolution

When might anterior be a better fit than prior?

Although the words anterior and prior have much in common, anterior applies to position before or ahead of usually in space, sometimes in time or order.

the anterior lobe of the brain

When can foregoing be used instead of prior?

The meanings of foregoing and prior largely overlap; however, foregoing applies chiefly to statements.

the foregoing remarks

When is it sensible to use former instead of prior?

The words former and prior can be used in similar contexts, but former implies always a definite comparison or contrast with something that is latter.

the former name of the company

When is preceding a more appropriate choice than prior?

In some situations, the words preceding and prior are roughly equivalent. However, preceding usually implies being immediately before in time or in place.

the preceding sentence

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of prior Loving also acknowledges that there had been conflicts between prior clerk-treasurers and the council. —Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2025 Chad Daybell, convicted of murdering a prior wife and his current wife’s two children, is the latest addition to the group. —Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 27 May 2025 The Hurricanes had lost their prior 15 Eastern Conference Final games before Monday’s win. —Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 27 May 2025 The government has argued that the men had a history with the immigration system, giving them prior opportunities to express a fear of being deported to a country outside their homeland. —Rebecca Santana, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for prior
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prior
  1. main
  2. previous
  3. primary
  4. first
  5. predominant
  6. dominant
  7. foremost
  8. leading
Adjective
  • The golden flying snake bears two main color morphs — a green-yellow form sports bold black streaks and occasional reddish dorsal spots, and another form where the same base hues are overlaid with subtler crossbars.
    — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
  • In a statement on social media, the hospital said the attack resulted in severe damage to its main building.
    — Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 31 May 2025
Definition of main
Adjective
  • In this '50s throwback world, the Doctor and Belinda have no memory of their previous lives, women are expected to stay home with the kids, and all doubts about the new normal must be reported to the authorities.
    — Richard Edwards, Space.com, 24 May 2025
  • Watkins, the previous appointment for the Center Township board seat, recalls the thorough interview process of Center Township Trustee Jesse Harper and his interview team.
    — Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2025
Definition of previous
Adjective
  • In the place of Gantu, the character Jumba instead assumes the primary villain status in the remake.
    — Benjamin VanHoose, People.com, 24 May 2025
  • David Hogg, a Democratic National Committee vice chairman, has elevated his national profile but risked his standing in the DNC for promising to primary older incumbents in Congress.
    — Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 24 May 2025
Definition of primary
Adjective
  • Neither was the British version of The Office, which launched in 2001, though that was among the first television series to run with it.
    — Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 25 May 2025
  • Christian Walker dressed, dwelled and debriefed there for the first 49 games of his Astros tenure.
    — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 25 May 2025
Definition of first
Adjective
  • Mercantilism had been the predominant economic model of the prior two centuries, advocating for trade surpluses with all nations.
    — Sarah Keohane Williamson, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
  • Fedde was using a steady four-pitch mix, with his sinker being the predominant pitch.
    — Katie Woo, New York Times, 10 May 2025
Definition of predominant
Adjective
  • But perhaps the most dominant aspect of the win came on the defensive end.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 23 May 2025
  • Yet mainstream culture is no longer dominant there: The media outlets and public figures are now punch lines for the site’s main characters, Musk and his MAGA acolytes.
    — Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 23 May 2025
Definition of dominant
Adjective
  • Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders.
    — Mark Morgan, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
  • Cruise emerged as Hollywood's foremost advocate for the theatrical experience during the COVID-19 pandemic, when theaters across the globe were staring down an uncertain future.
    — Randall Colburn, EW.com, 22 May 2025
Definition of foremost
Adjective
  • Shue returned to acting in the 2010s and has had leading roles on several shows — including Super Pumped, On the Verge, The Boys and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation — as well as in films such as Battle of the Sexes (2019), Greyhound (2020) and The Good Half (2023).
    — Keith Langston, People.com, 1 June 2025
  • This was bricolage in the mode of postmodernism, to use a term that Jencks had a leading role in propagating, defining it in multiple competing and overlapping (some would say maddening) ways.
    — Glenn Adamson, Artforum, 1 June 2025
Definition of leading

Phrases Containing prior

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prints
prior
prioress
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Cite this Entry

“Prior.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prior. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

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